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macrumors member
Original poster
Nov 30, 2013
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why do so many people buy MBA palm rest and trackpad protectors?

do the palm rest and trackpad areas wear out easily without the clear film protectors?

anyone got a photo showing the worn-out palm rest or trackpad?

thanks!
 
Where do you get "many" from? Been surfing this forum for a year and haven't seen a everyday post on the subject.

IMO, the old Macbook plastic casing, your palms sweats, after a while leave this residue that's quite ugly.

Aluminum, it's easier to clean and IMO, don't need further protection, but hey don't go by me.

I have a keyboard membrane, because it's so much work to clean but that's it.
 
Where do you get "many" from? Been surfing this forum for a year and haven't seen a everyday post on the subject.

IMO, the old Macbook plastic casing, your palms sweats, after a while leave this residue that's quite ugly.

Aluminum, it's easier to clean and IMO, don't need further protection, but hey don't go by me.

I have a keyboard membrane, because it's so much work to clean but that's it.

He may not be talking about macrumors. He could be saying when he's out and he sees people with their MacBooks.
 
He may not be talking about macrumors. He could be saying when he's out and he sees people with their MacBooks.

that's correct.... :) also, those protector things are selling like hotcakes on Amazon or at the Apple Store... or even Best Buy. :)

I just want to know if it's really that easy to wear out the surface.

My iPad 2 did not have a screen protector and I regret it every single day.
There's an area on the top edge of the screen that has signs of wear
on the glass surface. They are not scratches, but my finger movement
have worn out from running over that specific are over and over in the
last two years. I used it daily for business.... sometimes 5 or 6 hours
each day.
 
While we're at it: do MBAs work with a keyboard membrane? I read somewhere that there's not enough space between the screen an keyboard
 
Because I wear a wrist watch. I don't want to scratch my watch and I don't want to scratch my computer.

The trackpad protector I use makes the trackpad a bit less smooth.
 
lol true and not only about MBAs.

I see a lot of people using films/protectors/cases on their macbooks. My friend has a 15" retina and he covered the entire computer with film - on the inside its some transparent, on the outside a carbon fiber-like. I tried using it and the tackpad feels like sh|t. I remember Apple saying they spent months developing the proper texture for trackpad. And people just go ahead and cover it with plastic lol

I have no idea why people do that. They pay money to make computer look worse, it actually spoils the joy of using it. About scratches - I have had my 13 MBP for over 3 years, taking it to university, to work and to college every day and I have zero scratches or signs of wear on it. I don't use any protection.

Go figure
 
why do so many people buy MBA palm rest and trackpad protectors?

do the palm rest and trackpad areas wear out easily without the clear film protectors?

anyone got a photo showing the worn-out palm rest or trackpad?

thanks!

Palm rest protectors prevent the MacBook's aluminum chassis from being corroded / pitted / stained from sweat. Since people have different body chemistries one individual's sweat might not cause the corrosion, while another one's does.

People who know from past experience that aluminum reacts badly to their particular sweat can prevent potential loss of resale value by buying palm rest protectors. Those who aren't sure but want to play it safe might do so too. I believe officially Apple does not want people to attach protectors or skins between the display and the palm rest / keyboard due to tight design tolerances, though. MacBooks are designed to be very form-fitting when closed.

My iMac's Magic Mouse started showing pitting after about a year, so if I ever buy a Macbook I know I'll consider a translucent, adhesive skin for the palm rest. You can search for "Macbook palm rest pitting" or "Magic Mouse pitting" (or replace "pitting" with "corrosion") with Google to see what it looks like.
 
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I put an iCarbons skin on my Air the day I got it (pretty much solely for looks) and it turned out to be the best idea I've had in a while. It keeps the bottom from getting scratched and keeps the palm rest area from getting sweaty or dirty. Adds no bulk and looks pretty awesome.

I don't use anything on the trackpad or keyboard though..I keep liquids away from the keys and wipe down the trackpad about once a month to keep it clean.
 
Palm rest protectors prevent the MacBook's aluminum chassis from being corroded / pitted / stained from sweat. Since people have different body chemistries one individual's sweat might not cause the corrosion, while another one's does.

People who know from past experience that aluminum reacts badly to their particular sweat can prevent potential loss of resale value by buying palm rest protectors. Those who aren't sure but want to play it safe might do so too. I believe officially Apple does not want people to attach protectors or skins between the display and the palm rest / keyboard due to tight design tolerances, though. MacBooks are designed to be very form-fitting when closed.

My iMac's Magic Mouse started showing pitting after about a year, so if I ever buy a Macbook I know I'll consider a translucent, adhesive skin for the palm rest. You can search for "Macbook palm rest pitting" or "Magic Mouse pitting" (or replace "pitting" with "corrosion") with Google to see what it looks like.

Indeed. Palm rest protector is good to have if you have sweaty hands. The anodized aluminum pitted on my MacBook after a year or so, which looked very bad. Since then, I know a palm rest protector is a must.

Never had a problem with the trackpad or keyboard though.
 
I installed a screen protector on my MBA and a pair of LCD protectors on my eyeglasses.

The other day whilst at work, the sun came through the windows and shone on the MBA screen whilst it was off ... I was amazed at the amount of big hair-line scratches on the screen.

All I've ever done is gently cleaned the screen with all the right non-abrasive specially formulated solutions etc, removing the dust / dirt 1st. I take great care of my MBA too.

Luckily I can't see them in normal light, but it's disappointing.
 
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